Touch-sensitive device for scrolling a document on a display

ABSTRACT

A touch-sensitive device for use as an electronic input device for controlling by scrolling the visible portion of a document or image relative to a display. The device can include various improved configurations such as physically separate opposed input surfaces at opposite longitudinal ends and/or lateral sides. The end regions of a touch sensitive surface may be rounded and/or tapered to provide relative positional feedback to the user. Tactile positional feedback can also include surface texture changes on the scrolling area and/or changes in the surface of the frame in the region immediately adjacent the scrolling area. The touch sensitive areas may be provided within a split alphanumeric section of an ergonomic keyboard to enable scrolling without the user having to remove his or her hands from the alphanumeric section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to a touch-sensitive devicethat can be used as an electronic input device for controlling byscrolling the visible portion of a document relative to a display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Touch pads, which are two-dimensional touch-sensitive surfaces,have been used on computer laptops for controlling the movement of thecursor of the display. Commonly used touch pad configurations includesquare configurations and non-elongated rectangular configurations.Commercially available touch pads, such as those manufactured bySynaptics Inc., have been provided with software that enables the use ofthe right or bottom edge of the unitary surface touch pad as a scrollingzone. Such an arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,052 toAllen et al. However, these touch pad input devices, however, are alsoused for cursor positioning and thus are not dedicated to scrolling.This can cause problems of erroneous activation for the user. Theseproblems include the activation of scrolling when cursor positioning isdesired, and the activation of cursor positioning when scrolling isdesired.

[0003] A commercially available touch pad made by Synaptics Inc. usessoftware that discriminates different end zones in a scrolling region ofa touch pad. When a finger of a user reaches a longitudinal end of thetouch pad in the scroll region, the scrolling will continue until theuser moves lifts his or her finger from the touch pad or moves his orher finger away from the edge of the touch pad. However, if the user isconcentrating on the display, it may be difficult for the user tomaximize the scrolling capabilities as it is difficult to know when andwhether his or her finger is in or near such a longitudinal end portion.Accordingly, a user may move his finger to reach or leave the endportion prematurely, or may never reach the end portion believing his orher finger is already located in the end portion.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,185 to Stephan et al. discloses a touch padthat is physically divided by a cover to provide a square cursor controlregion, a vertically elongated rectangular scroll control region, and ahorizontally elongated pan control region. These regions are illustratedas being a part of a separate input device (in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No.5,748,185) or in the region in front of the keyboard portion of a laptopcomputer (in FIG. 13 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,185). Additionally, FIG. 10of U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,185 discloses a unitary surface with elongatedscroll and pan bars that overlap in the shape of a “plus” (+). Theregion where the horizontal pan control bar crosses the vertical scrollcontrol bar overlap is not mapped to control either panning orscrolling. Such an unmapped region would appear to be detrimental inmaximizing panning and scrolling control when the user runs his or herfinger along the horizontal or vertical bar in the desired direction.

[0005] Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,809 to Holehan discloses in FIGS. 1and 2 the use of a touch sensitive input scroll bars on three edgesurfaces of a laptop computer, and on three edge surfaces, betweendistinct alphanumeric and editing sections, and between distinct editingand numeric sections on a keyboard. However, one potential drawback ofthese arrangements is that edge regions and the regions between distinctkeyboard input sections (such as between distinct alphanumeric andediting sections, and between distinct editing and numeric sections) aresometimes used as resting places for portions of the hands of the user;An occurrence of such an incidental resting on an input scroll bar cancause unintended scrolling for the document on the display.

[0006] Additionally, the longitudinal ends of the scroll and panningcontrol regions for all of these arrangements terminate abruptly with aflat edge. This makes it difficult for the user to efficiently recognizewhen her or she is approaching the end of the region as the user isnormally focusing on the document on the display. This also has somedrawbacks in the ability to maximize scrolling control, which can bemore significant when software provides the end portions with differentscrolling capabilities. Accordingly, a solution to this problem isneeded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Aspects of the invention provide a touch-sensitive device withregions having improved shapes and/or configurations.

[0008] In further aspects of the invention, a touch-sensitive device forscrolling a document on a display screen may include a central scrollingarea extending along a longitudinal axis, and first and second endscrolling areas positioned along the longitudinal axis on opposed sidesof the central scrolling area. The first and second end scrolling areasmay be physically separate and spaced from the main scrolling area.

[0009] In further aspects of the invention, a touch-sensitive device forscrolling a document on a display screen may include a central scrollingarea and first and second end scrolling areas. The central scrollingarea may extend along a longitudinal axis and may have a width in adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first and secondend scrolling areas may be positioned along the longitudinal axis onopposed sides of the central scrolling area, and may have a width thatdiffers from the width of the central scrolling area.

[0010] In still further aspects of the invention, a touch-sensitivedevice for scrolling a document on a display screen may include ascrolling area extending along a longitudinal axis, and opposed firstand second ends that may be rounded.

[0011] In yet further aspects of the invention, a touch-sensitive devicefor scrolling a document on a display screen may include a scrollingarea extending along a longitudinal axis enabling the scrolling of adocument in a first direction, and first and second scroll inputsurfaces. The first and second scroll input surfaces may be positionedimmediately adjacent to the scrolling area, and on opposing sides of andspaced from the scrolling area in a direction perpendicular from thelongitudinal axis. The first and second input surfaces may enable thescrolling of a document in a direction perpendicular from the firstdirection.

[0012] Still further aspects of the invention provide a touch-sensitivedevice for scrolling a document on a display screen that may have ascrolling area extending along a longitudinal axis and opposed first andsecond ends each having a distal end. The scrolling area may have awidth in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A tactilefeedback arrangement may be located between the distal ends forproviding tactile feedback for assisting in the location of the firstand second ends.

[0013] In yet further aspects of the invention, a keyboard may includean alphanumeric section and an elongated touch-sensitive strip disposedwithin the alphanumeric section.

[0014] These and other features and aspects of the invention will beapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments. Although the invention has been defined using theappended claims, these claims are exemplary in that the invention isintended to include the elements and steps described herein in anycombination or subcombination. Accordingly, there are any number ofalternative combinations for defining the invention, which incorporateone or more elements from the specification, including the description,claims, and drawings, in various combinations or subcombinations. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the relevant technology, in lightof the present specification, that alternate combinations of aspects ofthe invention, either alone or in combination with one or more elementsor steps defined herein, may be utilized as modifications or alterationsof the invention or as part of the invention. It is intended that thewritten description of the invention contained herein covers all suchmodifications and alterations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are includedby way of example, and not by way of limitation with regard to theclaimed invention. In the accompanying drawings, elements are labeledwith three-or-four-digit reference numbers, wherein the first digit of athree-digit reference number (or the first two digits of a four-digitreference number) indicates the drawing number in which the element isfirst illustrated. The same reference number in different drawingsrefers to the same or a similar element.

[0016]FIG. 1 is a top view of a keyboard having a touch-sensitive deviceaccording to a first embodiment of aspects of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a top view of a keyboard having a touch-sensitive deviceaccording to a second embodiment of aspects of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a top view of a keyboard having a touch-sensitive deviceaccording to a third embodiment of aspects of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a top view of a keyboard having a touch-sensitive deviceaccording to a fourth embodiment of aspects of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a top view of a portion of a housing cover for forming atouch-sensitive device according to a fifth embodiment of aspects of thepresent invention;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a top view of a touch-sensitive device pattern accordingto a sixth embodiment of aspects of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a top view of a keyboard having a touch-sensitive deviceaccording to a seventh embodiment of aspects of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a top view of a touch-sensitive device pattern accordingto an eighth embodiment of aspects of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a top view of a keyboard having a touch-sensitive deviceaccording to a ninth embodiment of aspects of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a top view of a keyboard having a touch-sensitivedevice according to a tenth embodiment of aspects of the presentinvention;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a top view of a portion of a housing cover for forminga touch-sensitive device according to an eleventh embodiment of aspectsof the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a top view of a portion of a housing cover for forminga touch-sensitive device according to a twelfth embodiment of aspects ofthe present invention;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an ergonomic split keyboardincorporating a touch-sensitive strip within a split alphanumericsection according to aspects of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a top plan view of an ergonomic split keyboardincorporating an alternative embodiment of a touch-sensitive devicewithin a split alphanumeric section according to aspects of the presentinvention; and

[0030]FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the touch-sensitive device of FIG.14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Several exemplary embodiments of touch-sensitive devices forscrolling configurations are shown in FIGS. 1-12. These devices arecapable of providing signals for scrolling a document relative to adisplay device in one or more directions. While the differentillustrated embodiments of scrolling devices are shown in isolationand/or as part of a keyboard, aspects of the invention may also includethe use of such touch-sensitive devices as part of a stand-alone inputdevice, or in combination with other devices such as a personal digitalassistant (PDA), an electronic tablet, a laptop computer, an internetappliance, an electronic book, or on a mouse input device.

[0032] The touch-sensitive input device may be coupled to a system (notshown) for electronically processing signals and causing the documentsto be scrolled relative to the display. Thus, for example, the scrollingdevice may be coupled to a computer such as a personal computer (e.g., adesktop or laptop computer) or any other type of computing system.

[0033] One or more interfaces and/or driving circuitry/software may beutilized to provide communication between the scrolling device and thecomputing system. The computing may further include one or more of thefollowing, which may be coupled together such as a keyboard and/ormouse, a processor such as a microprocessor and/or central processingunit, storage such as memory, a hard and/or diskette drive, and/or adisplay for displaying a document. The device for displaying thedocument may any suitable device such as, but not limited to, a CRTscreen, and LCD screen, a projector, a heads-up display, avirtual-reality, goggle display. Examples of such computing systems arefurther described in are disclosed in co-pending patent applicationserial no. TBD, entitled “Manual Controlled Scrolling,” attorney docketno. 03797.00125, filed simultaneously with the present application,hereby incorporated by reference as to its entirety, and in co-pendingpatent application serial no. TBD, entitled “Automatic Scrolling”attorney docket no. 03797.00126, filed simultaneously with the presentapplication, hereby incorporated by reference as to its entirety.

[0034] As such, the term “scrolling” as has been generically used hereinto include both one-dimensional scrolling as well as two-dimensionalmovements of the document relative to the display, and includes verticalscrolling, horizontal scrolling, panning, other axial scrolling, andcombinations and subcombinations thereof. The document to be scrolledmay be any type of document at all, such as a word processing or textdocument, a spreadsheet, a drawing, a photograph or other image type,and/or an Internet web page. The document may be the displayed output,results, and/or viewable user interface associated with any softwareand/or hardware-driven application and/or operating system, such as acontrol screen, window, or file directory. Accordingly, the touchsensitive device can be used for scrolling a document in one or moreaxes (e.g., X, Y) relative to a display screen.

[0035] The touch-sensitive scrolling device may be coupled to a displayvia any suitable electronic processing device such that the position ofa pointer (e.g., a human finger, a stylus, or other appropriate object)on the scrolling device affects the scroll position of a document asshown on an output device such as a display screen. Throughout thespecification, there will often be references to the user's finger. Suchreference is merely exemplary and will be understood to apply to anytype of pointer. The scrolling device may be sensitive to human touchand/or to non-human touch such as from a pen or stylus-type pointer.Alternatively or additionally, the scrolling device may include one ormore sensors to detect the pointer position as it hovers immediatelyover the surface of the scrolling device. The touching of the user'sfinger to the touch-sensitive surface of the scrolling device may causethe scrolling device to generate at least one signal indicating thelocation, pressure, speed, acceleration, direction of the finger, and/orwhich portion of the surface(s) of the scrolling device are beingtouched by the finger.

[0036] In response to the user's finger, one or more signals may begenerated by the system indicating information about the contact orproximity of the finger to the scrolling device, and such signals may beinterpreted and processed by the system to provide the various scrollingfeatures described herein.

[0037] Any number of desirable scrolling techniques may be used forscrolling the documents based upon user inputs. For example, control ofscrolling acceleration, scrolling speed, and/or scrolling distance;automatic scrolling based on finger position, contact type, and/orpressure; scrolling position modification, rounding, and/or fine-tuningtechniques; and/or gesture and/or movement detection may be used.

[0038] Further, the same touch-sensitive surface may be used to supportany combination or subcombination of the various different scrollingtechniques or modes. Thus, more than one type of scrolling mode and/orfeature may be used with the same scrolling device. Further, althoughcertain exemplary gestures (e.g., tap-and-hold, or double-tap) may bemanners of implementing or invoking certain features and scrollingmodes, any desired gesture may be used to implement or invoke anyfeature and/or scrolling mode in any combination or subcombination. Inaddition, if desired, the scrolling device may be programmed to enablejumping to certain location in the document. Examples of such variousscrolling modes and techniques are disclosed in co-pending patentapplication serial no. TBD, entitled “Manual Controlled Scrolling,”attorney docket no. 03797.00125, filed simultaneously with the presentapplication, hereby incorporated by reference as to its entirety, and inco-pending patent application serial no. TBD, entitled “AutomaticScrolling,” attorney docket no. 03797.00126, filed simultaneously withthe present application, hereby incorporated by reference as to itsentirety.

[0039] In the arrangements of FIGS. 1 and 2, touch-sensitive inputdevices 100, 200 are shown for exemplary purposes as part of keyboards101, 201 and for exemplary purposes in regions located laterally to theleft of the alphanumeric sections 102, 202. The touch-sensitive inputdevices 100, 200 are preferably accessible through and/or located withinan opening 103, 203, window, or hole in the top of the housing 104, 204of the keyboard 101, 201. The opening 103, 203 is preferably of a shapecomplimentary or similar to the shape of the active scrolling surface.If desired, the housing 104, 204 may include a contoured boundarytransition region 105, 205 that extends around some or all of theperiphery of the touch-sensitive input devices 100, 200 to facilitatelocation of the touch-sensitive input devices 100, 200 by tactilefeedback to the user.

[0040] The touch-sensitive input devices 100, 200 preferably include ascrolling surface 110, 210, and opposing first (e.g., top) and second(e.g., bottom) longitudinal end areas 112, 212 and 114, 214. In FIGS. 1and 2, the longitudinal end areas 112, 212 and 114, 214 are curved ortapered at their distal ends 116, 118, 216, 218. These curved endprofiles 116, 118, 216, 218 are beneficial because they tend to moreclosely match the profile of a finger of a user, which in turn, allowsthe user to better locate the ends without visual confirmation andprovides increased comfort when the user is invoking that portion of thetouch-sensitive surface 100, 200. Additionally, the curved portions 116,118, 216, 218 provide the end areas 112, 212 and 114, 214 with aninherent taper that provides tactile feedback to the user that his orher finger is approaching the end of the touch-sensitive surface 110,210 prior to reaching the end. As can seen from the figures, theexemplary scrolling surface 100, 200 is an uninterrupted, continuousexposed surface between its longitudinal ends.

[0041] In one exemplary mounting arrangement, the scrolling surface 100,200 is elongated front-to-back, and movement of the user's finger alongthe scrolling surface 100, 200 is capable of causing the document toscroll up and down based on the direction of finger movement.

[0042] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the length of the scrolling surface110, 210 is understood to be the distance from end-to-end 116 to 118 or216 to 218 along its respective longitudinal axis. In an exemplaryarrangement, the length (or average length) of the scrolling surface 110is preferably about 2.9 times its width (or average width), while thesame ratio for the scrolling surface 210 is about 4.6. The ratio may beany desired amount, and ratios of 2.0 or greater, 2.5 or greater, 3.0 orgreater, 3.5 or greater, 4.0 or greater, and 5.0 or greater, areadvantageous as well. In some examples, the length (or average length)of the touch-sensitive surface is between 40 mm and 80 mm such as 65 mm,while the width (or average width) is within the range between 10 mm and30 mm such as 14 mm (as shown in FIG. 1) and 22 mm. (as shown in FIG.2). However, it is recognized that alternative dimensions could be used.

[0043] FIGS. 3-6 illustrate scrolling devices 300, 400, 500, 600 havingalternative scrolling surface configurations. FIGS. 3 and 4 show thesurface configurations 310, 410 as part of a portion of a keyboard 301,401. FIG. 5 shows the surface configuration 510 with a generic coverportion that might, for example, form a portion of the top cover for ahousing. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a surface configuration 610that would preferably be used with part of a housing.

[0044] In these embodiments, the respective longitudinal end areas, 312,412, 512, 612 and 314, 414, 514, and 614 have enlarged widths relativeto the widths of the respective central portions 311, 411, 511, 611 ofscrolling regions 310, 410, 510, and 610. In other words, the endsregions 312, 412, 512, 612 and 314, 414, 514, and 614 maybe wider in adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (i.e., fromlongitudinal end to longitudinal end) than in the central portions 311,411, 511, 611. The widest points of the end portions 312, 412, 512, 612and 314, 414, 514, and 614 are preferably, but not necessarily, between5% and 50% wider than the respective central portions. Theseconfigurations result in a thermometer-shaped contiguous surface.Similar to those described with FIGS. 1 and 2, the longitudinal endareas 312, 412, 512, 612, and 314, 414, 514, 614 are preferably curvedor tapered at their distal ends 316, 318, 416, 418, 516, 518, 616, 618.

[0045] The end portions 312, 412, 512, 612 and 314, 414, 514, 614 may beformed in a generally circular configuration (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6) or maybe formed in more of an elliptical or ovular configuration (FIG. 5). Theenlarged end portions 312, 412, 512, 612 and 314, 414, 514, 614 incombination with their respective central portions may form a scrollingsurface 310, 410, 510, 610 that includes an elongated, uninterrupted,continuous exposed touch-sensitive surface between its longitudinalends.

[0046] FIGS. 3-6 also differ in the relative proportions of thescrolling surface, mainly in the proportion of the central regions 311,411, 511, 611, and their relationships to the respective end portions312, 412, 512, 612 and 314, 414, 514, 614. These scrolling surfaces maybe configured in any desirable size and/or proportion such as the size,size range, dimension, and/or dimension ranges as shown in FIGS. 1and/or 2.

[0047] FIGS. 3-5 also provide optional side scrolling areas 330, 430,530. In an exemplary arrangement, side scrolling areas 330, 430, 530 are(1) positioned immediately adjacent to their respective main scrollingareas 310, 410, 510; (2) physically separate from their respective mainscrolling areas 310, 410, 510; and/or (3) located on opposing sides ofand spaced from their main scrolling areas 310, 410, 510 in a directionperpendicular from their longitudinal axis.

[0048] The side input surfaces 330, 430, 530 may enable the scrolling ofa document in a direction perpendicular from the scrolling directioncaused by moving the user's finger along the longitudinal axis. Thus, ifin one mounting arrangement, the scrolling surface 300, 400, 500 iselongated front-to-back (e.g., elongated from 318 to 316) and movementof the user's finger along the scrolling surface (e.g., between 318 and316) causes the document to scroll up and down based on the direction offinger movement, then the side scrolling surfaces 330, 430, 530 wouldenable the scrolling of the document left and right. If desired,scrolling in these perpendicular directions (in this example, left andright) may be responsive to touching, or tapping, ortapping-and-holding, the surfaces 330, 430, 530, and there might be norequirement to move the user's finger along these surfaces. In theillustrated embodiments, the side-scrolling surfaces 330, 430, 530 havea generally straight edge 332, 432, 532 proximal to the respectivecentral scrolling regions 311, 411, 511 and a rounded or tapered edge334, 434, 534 distal from the respective central scrolling regions 311,411, 511. If desired, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transition region305, 405 of the housing 304, 404 may partially or fully extend aroundthe periphery of the side scrolling surfaces 330, 430.

[0049] Any or all of the scrolling devices disclosed herein may includeone or more textual, graphical, and/or other indicia printed orotherwise applied, engraved, or etched thereon. These indicia can helpprovide visual feedback of where the central and end regions meet, orother positioning-related feedback. Further, if the indicium is slightlyraised on the scrolling surface, tactile feedback may also be provided.For example, as shown in FIG. 6, such indicia may include directionalarrows 641, 642 and/or separation lines 643, 644 (straight or curved)between the central 611 and end regions 612, 614.

[0050]FIGS. 7, 8, and 12 illustrate alternative embodiments of scrollingdevices 700, 800, 1200. FIG. 7 shows the scrolling device 700 with aportion of a keyboard 701. FIGS. 8 and 12 schematically show thesurfaces of their respective scrolling devices 800 and 1200 without acover or housing. In these embodiments, additional first (e.g., top) andsecond (e.g., bottom) end scrolling surfaces 750, 850, 1200 are providedthat are (1) positioned along the longitudinal axis on opposed sides ofa main or central scrolling area 711, 811, 1211; and/or (2) physicallyseparate and/or spaced from a main scrolling area 711, 811, 1211.

[0051] The end input scrolling surfaces 750, 850, 1250 enable thescrolling of a document in the same direction as the scrolling directioncaused by moving the user's finger along the longitudinal axis of themain scrolling area 711, 811, 1211 (e.g., along the longitudinal axisdefined between 716 and 718). Thus, for example, if intended forvertical scrolling of the document, the first or upper end region wouldbe an up scrolling region, and the second end region would be a downscrolling region. If desired, end input scrolling surfaces 750, 850,1250 can be configured to provide additional scrolling options such asconstant speed scrolling or scrolling at a slower or faster speed.Further, scrolling with the end input scrolling surfaces 750, 850, 1250can be accomplished by, e.g., touching, tapping, or tapping-and-holdingthe surfaces 750, 850, 1250. In such an embodiment, there might be norequirement to move the user's finger along these surfaces. Thus, in onemounting arrangement, where the scrolling devices 700, 800, 1200, andtheir respective main scrolling areas 711, 811, 1211 are elongatedfront-to-back, and movement of the user's finger along the respectivescrolling surfaces 711, 811, 1211 is capable of causing the document toscroll up and down based on the direction of finger movement, the endscrolling surfaces 750, 850, 1250 may also enable the scrolling of thedocument up and down.

[0052] The distal longitudinal ends 716, 718, 816, 818, 1216, 1218 ofthe central scrolling area 711, 811, 1211 may be curved or otherwisetapered as shown in FIG. 7, or may be flat as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12.The edge 751, 851, 1251 of the end scrolling surfaces 750, 850, 1250that is proximal to the central scrolling area 711, 811, 1211 may bestraight as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12 or otherwise curved or tapered asshown in FIG. 7. The edge 752, 852, 1252 of the end scrolling surfaces750, 850, 1250 that is distal from the central scrolling area 711, 811,1211 is preferably curved as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 or otherwise taperedsuch as by diverging triangular edges as shown in FIG. 12. Theseconfigurations may assist the user in properly locating the user'sfinger by providing tactile and/or visual feedback.

[0053]FIG. 7 further discloses the combination of the separate endscrolling regions 750 with separate side scrolling regions 730. Thisconfiguration may be used to provide additional scrolling options andcapabilities. FIG. 8 also discloses the use of indicia 841, 842 toprovide helpful feedback to the user.

[0054] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate alternative embodiments of scrollingdevices 900, 1000, 1100. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the surfaces in conjunctionwith a portion of a keyboard, and FIG. 11 shows the surfaces with ageneric cover portion that might, for example, form a portion of the topcover for a housing of a device such as a keyboard, mouse, or laptophousing. In these embodiments, the elongated central scrolling surfaceis actually configured as two sectioned surfaces 911 a, 911 b, 1011 a,1011 b, and 111 a, 111 b that are preferably physically separated orotherwise divided along the longitudinal axis. In one exemplaryarrangement, the sections are separated across the middle by a physicalbarrier 960, 1060, 1160, a bezel, a portion of the housing that may beraised such as a ridge (or a protrusion or series of protrusions ornibs) or lowered such as a groove, or that may be of the same height asthe surrounding housing, and/or other physical dividing structure. Thedistal ends 916, 918, 1016, 1018, 116, 1118 of these surfaces 911 a, 911b, 1011 a, 1011 b, and 1111 a, 111 b are preferably, but notnecessarily, rounded or otherwise tapered as previously described. Theseembodiments may include side scrolling surfaces 930, 1030, 1130 and/orend scrolling surfaces 1050 as previously described and shown in FIGS.9-11.

[0055] The barrier 960, 1060, 1160 preferably provides a tactile cuethat enables the user to feel where the center of the scrolling surfaceis and where a transition occurs without the need to be visuallydistracted from the work being performed on the display screen.Alternatively or additionally, the barrier 960, 1060, 1160 may enablethe user to utilize the top and bottom sections (e.g., sections 911 a,911 b) of the scrolling surface for different scrolling functions ortechniques.

[0056] Another example of a tactile cue that may be on any embodimentand that may enable the user to physically feel where his or her fingeris on the scrolling area relative to the scrolling area is illustratedin FIG. 11. These tactile cues may include one or more bezels 1165, orvariations on the bezel such as small nibs (protrusions) or grooves(recesses) positioned along the recessed area immediately adjacent toand/or extending over the scrolling region. These tactile cues may, forexample, be at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% along the main scrollingregion, and/or at the transition regions between the main scrolling areaand the opposing end scrolling areas. These cues provide the user withthe ability to feel their relative position along the scrolling surface.This can facilitate scrolling and jumping control.

[0057] FIGS. 1-12 illustrate various combinations of features andattributes of the scrolling devices. However, all permutations of thedifferent features and attributes described are usable together.Further, the scrolling devices may be used on any type of device, suchas in conjunction with another input device or as a stand-alone inputdevice regardless of whether it is schematically depicted in FIGS. 6, 8,and 12, shown with a generic cover portion as in FIGS. 5 and 11, orshown as part of a keyboard as in FIGS. 1-4, 7, 9, and 10. The scrollingsurfaces may be configured as separate sensing members or may be part ofa single larger sensing pad with access to certain portions restrictedby portions of the housing (where the housing may act like a mask overone or more portions of the scrolling surface) and/or other physicalbarriers.

[0058] The touch sensitive scrolling devices are preferably sized topermit comfortable scrolling capability by the hand size of an averagekeyboard user. It is noted that the proportions of the scrollingfeatures of the scrolling devices as shown in the drawings as filed areto scale, and the Applicant reserves the right to explicitly incorporatespecific textual written descriptions of various proportions and shapesalready depicted in these figures.

[0059] Thus, in some embodiments, the up and down scrolling areas and/orthe side scrolling areas may be provided and may be physically separatefrom the main scrolling area. If the end scrolling regions are acontiguous part of the scrolling surface, various transition regions orlocations may have visible or tactile features (such as lines) thatdistinguish them from the rest of the pad.

[0060] In some embodiments, physically distinct regions, or contiguous“virtual” regions at the extreme ends of the scrolling surface may beused to trigger multiple functions that might not be available on themain or central area of the scrolling strip. These regions may beconfigured to respond to gestures such as tapping, tapping-and-holding,double-tapping, or double-tapping and then holding, and may controlfunctionality such as jumping to the Home or End portions of thedocument (by, for example, double-tapping), auto-scrolling the document(by, for example, tapping-and-holding), and page up/page down navigationdocument (by, for example, single-tapping).

[0061] Basic touch pad and scrolling strip functionality is known in theart. Depending upon the preferred ultimate uses, any desired scrollspeed, scroll positioning control, finger moving and/or not movingdetection technique or program may be used. Existing touch padtechnologies and/or multiple touch-sensitive regions with quadraturemotion detection or multiple keyboard traces may be used. Further, toreduce costs, it may be feasible to configure various embodiments to beused with and/or controlled by existing keyboard micro-controllersand/or micro-controllers of other input devices. If desired, a keyboardmodifier key and/or a key on another input device such as a mouse, maybe used in combination with any of the gestures recognized on thetouch-sensitive scrolling strip to support and invoke variousfunctionality. For example, holding down the Control key (Ctrl) whilesliding one's finger along the strip can control the current zoom factorof the document or change the scroll orientation (e.g., from verticalscrolling to panning or horizontal scrolling, or vice-versa)

[0062] Where configured as part of a keyboard, embodiments of thescrolling device may be located in any desirable location on thekeyboard such as on the left or right side or bottom edge. In a specificapplication, the scrolling device may be a part of an ergonomic or splitkeyboard. FIG. 13 discloses an exemplary embodiment of such a keyboard1301 incorporating an elongated touch-sensitive device 1300. Thekeyboard 1301 may include an alphanumeric section 1302 and may furtherinclude an editing section 1380 and/or a numeric section 1382 being eachlaterally disposed from the alphanumeric section 1302. In thisarrangement, the alphanumeric section 1302, commonly referred to as theQWERTY section, is split to define a region 1384 between the splitportions. Such split arrangements are known in the art to provideergonomic benefits.

[0063] In one exemplary embodiment, the alphanumeric section 1302 issplit and provides the B key, the G key, the T key and the 6 key in thegroup of keys to the left of the region, and the N key, the H key, the Ykey and the 7 key in the group of keys to the right of the region. Thespace bar 1386 may extend between and/or be included in both groups. Thespace bar 1386 may also extend directly in front of the region 1384.

[0064] A touch-sensitive scrolling device 1300, such as but not limitedto any of the strips as previously described, may be disposed within theregion 1384 and/or within the alphanumeric section. This arrangementplaces the scrolling device 1300 in engagement range for the indexfingers of the left and right hands of the user when the hands areproperly positioned during normal alphanumeric typing. Accordingly, thisarrangement enables easy activation of the touch-sensitive surface ofthe scrolling device 1300 during normal alphanumeric typing activitieswithout the user having to reposition his or her hand(s).

[0065] Additionally, while the touch-sensitive scrolling device 1300 isillustrated in FIG. 13 as being oriented so that its longitudinal axisextends in a straight front-to-back direction, it may be angularlydisplaced if desired as shown in FIG. 14. Similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 13, the embodiment of FIG. 14 includes a split alphanumeric section1402 having a space bar 1486 and a region 1484 between the splitsections, an editing section 1480, and a numeric section 1482. Thetouch-sensitive scrolling device 1400 may include two elongated strips,and in the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis of each stripand/or both side edges 1460 and 1461 (FIG. 15) of the device is angledto be parallel to an inner side 1475 or 1476 of one of the two splitportions in the alphanumeric section 1404 (FIG. 15). Thus, for example,as shown in FIG. 14, the scrolling strip may be displaced by angle Θrelative to the front-back direction of the keyboard to be generallyparallel to the inside edge angle of one of the two split keyboardportions. This enables enhanced control by a finger of a single handwhen the user has his hand disposed to type on the split keyboard. Theangle Θ is preferably, but need not be within the range of 5 to 20degrees.

[0066] Additional features of scrolling device 1400 are shown in FIG.15. Scrolling device 1400 preferably includes two parallel touchsensitive input sections 1463 and 1464 that are physically separated bya raised divider 1462. One section, for example the left section 1463,may be in accordance with any of the aforementioned touch sensitivedevices. In this arrangement, the section 1463 includes a central touchsensitive area 1411 and separated distal end sections 1414 and 1416.Physical dividers 1466 may be used to provide tactile feedback to theuser regarding his finger position along the strip. Additionally,graphical elements, such as arrows or other indicia, may be used, andany or any combination of the previously disclosed characteristics, suchas enlarged or tapered ends, may also be provided.

[0067] The other section, for example the right section 1464, may be asillustrated or may be in accordance with any of the aforementioned touchsensitive devices. In the illustrated arrangement, the right sectionincludes an elongated scrolling surface 1469. The divider 1462separating the scrolling surfaces 1411 and 1469 includes tactilefeedback to the user about his finger location. The divider 1462includes at least one edge differing in texture from the other regionsaround the scrolling surfaces. Thus, as shown, divider 1462 may includea sawtooth edge 1468 to provide tactile feedback as to which of the twoscrolling strips are being contacted. However, if desired, any of theaforementioned tactile feedback arrangements may be used.

[0068] The two separate scrolling devices 1463 and 1464 are preferablyused to control scrolling differently. In a first arrangement, absolutemotion occurs in the touch sensitive region 1469 on the “sawtooth” side.Alternatively, instead of absolute motion, the touch sensitive region1469 on the “sawtooth” side can provide an increased gain factor, forexample, five times the movement speed of the other touch sensitivedevice 1411. The tactile feedback of the central divider, especially the“sawtooth” configuration, provides tactile feedback conveying to theuser which side of the divider 1462 he or she is on. This in turn,provides feedback as to which of the differing functions that would beactivated upon movement of the finger touching the strip. Thus, in thistouch sensitive arrangement shown in FIG. 15, the left touch sensitivedevice 1463 has a central section 1411 and specialized end regions 1414and 1416, and the right touch sensitive device 1464 can provide absoluteor increase speed scrolling. The dividers 1462 and 1466, including andtactile feedback structure thereon helps the user “feel” his fingerposition on the device. Instead of the sawtooth shaped contour,alternative contours may be used. Preferably, of course, the contourdiffers from the edges of the surrounding edges of other touch sensitivesurface.

[0069] While the sawtooth contoured edge 1468 assists the user indiscriminating by touch which of the two scrolling regions is beingengaged or is about to be engaged, the sawtooth edge 1468 can alsoassist the user in locating his relative position between the top andbottom of the adjacent scroll strip. Accordingly, it may be provided asa side edge for any or all of the scrolling strip configurations ofFIGS. 1-12. Additionally, while the sawtooth edge 1468 extends betweenthe two ends of the scrolling region 1469, the sawtooth profile may bein selected regions along the length of the scrolling region.

[0070] While exemplary systems and methods embodying the presentinvention are shown by way of example, it will be understood, of course,that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Modificationsmay be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of theforegoing teachings. For example, each of the features of theaforementioned embodiments and examples may be utilized in combinationwith other embodiments.

1. A touch-sensitive device for scrolling a document on a displayscreen, said device comprising: a central scrolling area extending alonga longitudinal axis and first and second end scrolling areas positionedalong the longitudinal axis on opposed sides of the central scrollingarea, said first and second end scrolling areas being physicallyseparate and spaced from the main scrolling area.
 2. The device of claim1, wherein said device is part of a keyboard including an alphanumericsection, said scrolling area being disposed within said alphanumericsection.
 3. The touch-sensitive device of claim 1, further comprising ahousing with first, second and third opening that frames the central,first end, and second end scrolling areas.
 4. The touch-sensitive deviceof claim 3, said housing further having members extending acrossscrolling regions to physically divide said central and first endscrolling areas, and said central and second end scrolling areas.
 5. Thetouch-sensitive device of claim 1, further comprising first and secondscroll input surfaces positioned immediately adjacent to said centralscrolling area, and on opposing sides of and spaced from said centralscrolling area in a direction perpendicular from said longitudinal axis,said first and second input surfaces enabling the scrolling of adocument in opposite directions along a first axis.
 6. The device ofclaim 5, further comprising a housing with first, second, third, fourth,and fifth openings that frames said central scrolling area, said firstand second input surfaces, and said first end and second end scrollingareas, respectively.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said centralscrolling area has a length measured along the longitudinal axis and anaverage width perpendicular from the longitudinal axis, wherein saidlength is greater than two times the width.
 8. The device of claim 6,wherein said central scrolling area has a length measured along thelongitudinal axis and an average width perpendicular from thelongitudinal axis, wherein said length is greater than three times thewidth.
 9. The device of claim 6, wherein said first and second endscrolling areas enable the scrolling of a document in oppositedirections along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
 10. Thetouch-sensitive device of claim 1, wherein said first end and second endscrolling areas are generally circular in shape.
 11. The touch-sensitivedevice of claim 1, wherein said first end and second end scrolling areasare generally hemispherical in shape.
 12. The touch-sensitive device ofclaim 1, wherein said first end and second end scrolling areas aregenerally triangular in shape.
 13. A touch-sensitive device forscrolling a document on a display screen, said device comprising: acentral scrolling area extending along a longitudinal axis and having awidth in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and firstand second end scrolling areas positioned along the longitudinal axis onopposed sides of the central scrolling area, said first and second endscrolling areas having a width that differs from the width of thecentral scrolling area.
 14. The touch-sensitive device of claim 13, saidfirst and second end scrolling areas having a width that is greater thanthe width of the central scrolling area.
 15. The touch-sensitive deviceof claim 13, further comprising a housing with an opening that framesthe central and first and second end scrolling areas.
 16. Thetouch-sensitive device of claim 13, said first and second end scrollingareas have a width that is narrower than the width of the centralscrolling area.
 17. The touch-sensitive device of claim 16, wherein thefirst and second ends each have distal ends, said first and second endtapering in width as they approach their distal ends.
 18. Thetouch-sensitive device of claim 17, further comprising a housing with anopening that frames the scrolling area.
 19. The device of claim 13,wherein said device is part of a keyboard including an alphanumericsection, said scrolling area being disposed within said alphanumericsection.
 20. The touch-sensitive device of claim 19, further comprisingfirst and second scroll input surfaces positioned adjacent to saidcentral scrolling area, and on opposing sides of and spaced from saidcentral scrolling area in a direction perpendicular from saidlongitudinal axis, said first and second input surfaces enabling thescrolling of the image in opposite directions along a first axis.
 21. Atouch-sensitive device for scrolling a document on a display screen,said device comprising: a scrolling area extending along a longitudinalaxis, and opposed first and second ends, said first and second endsbeing rounded.
 22. The touch-sensitive device of claim 21, wherein saidfirst and second ends each have an extreme end, said extreme ends beingrounded.
 23. The touch-sensitive device of claim 22, further comprisinga housing with an opening that frames the scrolling area.
 24. Thetouch-sensitive device of claim 21, wherein said device is part of akeyboard including an alphanumeric section, said scrolling area beingdisposed within said alphanumeric section.
 25. The touch-sensitivedevice of claim 21, wherein said scrolling area is generally hourglassshaped.
 26. The touch-sensitive device of claim 21, further comprisingfirst and second scroll input surfaces positioned adjacent to saidscrolling area, and on opposing sides of and spaced from said scrollingarea in a direction perpendicular from said longitudinal axis, saidfirst and second input surfaces enabling the scrolling of the image inopposite directions along a first axis.
 27. A touch-sensitive device forscrolling a document on a display screen, said device comprising: ascrolling area extending along a longitudinal axis enabling thescrolling of a document in a first direction, and first and secondscroll input surfaces positioned immediately adjacent to said scrollingarea, and on opposing sides of and spaced from said scrolling area in adirection perpendicular from said longitudinal axis, said first andsecond input surfaces enabling the scrolling of a document in adirection perpendicular from the first direction.
 28. The device ofclaim 27, further comprising a housing with first, second and thirdopenings that frames the scrolling area, and the first and second inputsurfaces respectively.
 29. The device of claim 27, wherein said housingis part of a keyboard.
 30. The device of claim 29, wherein said keyboardincludes an alphanumeric section and said scrolling area being disposedwithin said alphanumeric section.
 31. A touch-sensitive device forscrolling a document on a display screen, said device comprising: ascrolling area extending along a longitudinal axis and having a width ina direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and opposed firstand second ends each having a distal end, and tactile feedback meanslocated between the distal ends for providing tactile feedback forassisting in the location of the first and second ends.
 32. The deviceof claim 31, wherein the tactile feedback means is located on an outersurface on the scrolling area.
 33. The device of claim 32, wherein thetactile feedback means includes surface texture on the outer surface ofthe scrolling area.
 34. The device of claim 33, wherein the tactilefeedback means includes discrete surface texture changes on thescrolling area.
 35. The device of claim 31, further comprising a housingwith an opening that frames the scrolling area, and wherein the tactilefeedback means includes changes in the surface of the frame in theregion immediately adjacent the opening.
 36. The device of claim 35,wherein the tactile feedback means includes raised projections of thesurface of the frame in the region immediately adjacent the opening. 37.The device of claim 35, wherein the tactile feedback means includesrecesses in the surface of the frame in the region immediately adjacentthe opening.
 38. The device of claim 31, wherein the tactile feedbackmeans includes a change in width of the opening immediately adjacent thescrolling area.
 39. The device of claim 31, wherein the tactile feedbackmeans includes at least one member coupled to the housing and extendinginto a boundary of the scrolling area.
 40. The device of claim 35,wherein the tactile feedback means includes a sawtooth contour in thesurface of the frame in the region immediately adjacent the opening. 41.A keyboard, said keyboard comprising: an alphanumeric section; and anelongated touch-sensitive strip disposed within said alphanumericsection.
 42. The keyboard of claim 41, wherein the alphanumeric sectionincludes a G key and a B key, said elongated touch-sensitive strip beingdisposed between said G key and said B key.
 43. The keyboard of claim41, wherein the alphanumeric section includes a T key and a Y key, saidelongated touch-sensitive strip being disposed between said T key andsaid Y key.
 44. The keyboard of claim 41, wherein the alphanumericsection includes a space bar, said elongated touch-sensitive strip beingdisposed immediately behind said space bar.
 45. The keyboard of claim41, wherein the alphanumeric section includes a G key, a B key, a T key,a Y key, and a space bar, said elongated touch-sensitive strip being (a)disposed between said G key and said B key, (b) disposed between said Tkey and said Y key, and (c) disposed immediately behind said space bar.46. The keyboard of claim 41, further comprising an editing section anda numeric section, said editing section and said numeric section beinglaterally disposed from said alphanumeric section.
 47. The keyboard ofclaim 41, wherein the keyboard has a front-to-back direction extendingfrom a front of the keyboard to a back of the keyboard, and aside-to-side direction extending from a left side of the keyboard to aright side of the keyboard, the front-to-back direction beingperpendicular to the side-to-side direction, wherein said elongatedtouch sensitive strip extends along a longitudinal axis that isangularly displaced from the front-to-back direction.
 48. The keyboardof claim 47, wherein said longitudinal axis of said elongated touchsensitive strip is angularly displaced from the front-to-back directionby an angle in the range between 5 and 20 degrees.
 49. The keyboard ofclaim 41, wherein the alphanumeric section is divided into first andsecond portions, said first and second portions each being generallyangularly disposed relative the keyboard, said elongated touch sensitivestrip extends along a longitudinal axis that is angularly disposedrelative to the keyboard by an amount that is approximately the same andthe angular disposition of the first portion.
 50. A system for scrollinga document on a display screen, said system comprising: a firsttouch-sensitive device having an elongated touch sensitive inputsurface; a second touch-sensitive device having an elongated touchsensitive input surface, said second-touch sensitive device being spacedfrom and adjacent to said first touch-sensitive device; and a physicaldivider disposed between first and second touch-sensitive devices, saiddivider having a contoured edge immediately adjacent the elongated touchsensitive input surface of at least one of said first and secondtouch-sensitive devices.
 51. A system of claim 50, wherein saidcontoured edge is sawtoothed shaped.
 52. The system of claim 51, whereinsaid divider has a second edge opposite from said contoured edge, saidsecond edge having a contour that differs from said sawtoothed shape.